Hangin' at the Lodge

We've been doing some "turist" stuff this weekend in one of Northwest Montana's pretty places:  Whitefish.  That's Whitefish Lake above and the Lodge below, along with a few other accessories that come with staying at the resort. 

Bill spent some time in Glacier yesterday while I visited with friends. We all got together for dinner last night and as we were walking to our room another friend I didn't expect to see came walking up to say "Hi."

Patty Huchens, another Sandpoint journalist who devotes the majority of her time to Sandpoint Living Magazine, greeted me.  

Kinda interesting to have two people who write feature stories in well-known local publications on a weekend getaway at the same resort, unbenownst to each other.

Twas great fun seeing Patty and her hubby as a musician sang country western tunes to the dinner crowd.

Today we'll head back home, and, of course, I'm anxious to see the Lovestead critter family which has been enjoying great care and fun, thanks to our friend Elisabeth.

One interesting discovery here at the Lodge was the beautiful Western sculptures displayed throughout the lobby area.  

Of course, the collection drew my attention, but when I saw who the artist's name, I was very pleasantly surprised.

Debra Copenhaver Fellows grew up in Spokane and followed her passion for art at Fort Wright College of the Holy Name and later in Italy where her mentor, a Catholic nun named Sr. Paula Mary Turnbull took her to study Italian sculpture.

Debra is also the daughter of famed rodeo bronc rider Deb Copenhaver.  She has also spent more than her share of time aboard a horse----usually not bucking horses like her dad.

Among her well-known works in the Spokane area is the familiar sculpture on campus of Gonzaga alum Bing Crosby. 

I love her work but seeing it over the weekend brought back another personal memory.  Debra's stepfather owned Arabians in Spokane when he died a few years ago unexpectedly in his sleep.  

He had no family in the Spokane area when he passed away, so Debra came to Spokane from her home in Arizona and took on the challenge of finding homes for six horses. 

One of those, a three-quarter Arabian rose gray filly named Heather, came to the Lovestead where she lived a happy life for about four years before being sold.  I don't even like to think of what happened after that, and I won't.

But we here at the Lovestead truly loved and cared deeply for Heather.  Plus, we appreciated having the opportunity to meet Debra Copenhaver and help her out when she needed a favor.  

Obviously, with the widespread appreciation of her God-given talent, Debra probably doesn't need too many favors. 

Considering my meeting up with Patty and seeing Debra's work here at the Lodge, I'd say this weekend getaway has definitely had a bit of "small-world" flavor to it.  

It's been a fun experience filled with great visiting, great people and good times.  

The only downside of being over here in the homeland of ZAGS player Ryan Edwards is that we couldn't watch him perform last night in the ZAGS season opener.

From what I heard, though, he did very well as the team pulled off a big win to start the season.  Yay, ZAGS!

Happy Sunday!